Arsene Wenger has plenty to mull over following the departure of Alex Song to the African Cup of Nations and his midfield conundrum is not being eased by a series of injury problems.
The Gunners face Bolton on Wednesday in their second gameweek fixture and are again set to be without skipper Cesc Fabregas. Added to this, Wenger was without Denilson for the FA Cup win at West Ham on Sunday due to a back problem and also revealed that Arshavin missed that match with a foot injury…
“He [Denilson] will have a test tomorrow [Monday] and on Tuesday if he is fit he will be available for the game on Wednesday…Arshavin should be available for Wednesday but today he had a foot problem.”
Despite those reassuring words, both are clearly doubts for Wednesday’s game, while Theo Walcott is also missing with a rib injury. Wenger’s options are restricted then as he looks to construct a new makeshift midfield with Song now departed…
The Cameroon international has provided a significant shield for the Arsenal defence of late and allowed the likes of Fabregas, Diaby and more recently Ramsey, to get forward to join the attack. Wenger must now decide whether to look to replicate the system with another player, or, as he hinted in his post-match interview, perhaps find a new formula…
“We will miss him [Song} because he’s an important player. In the system we play he plays in front of the defence and we will have to find a new balance without him.”
It is widely expected that Abou Diaby will be shifted to a defensive role to cover the loss of Song. Indeed the player himself has stated only today that he expects to talk to Wenger about the situation. There are other options though. Nasri adopted that position for a spell last season and Aaron Ramsey has also said that he would be willing to fulfill a holding role. His role in Wenger’s plans look to be further forward however, after the Welshman struck the goal that got Arsenal back in the cup tie on Sunday. That followed his league goal at Portsmouth in midweek.
Wenger offered a big hint that Ramsey would not only continue in the side while Fabregas was injured, but also that he would continue to be played in a position that would continue to bring him goal opportunities…
“He improves from game to game. I set him a target at the start of the season to play between 15 and 20 games and it looks like he will get that very quickly. He has a chance to play at the moment. He can play on the flanks and at full-back. He is physically very strong, quick and has a good stamina. He is a good dribbler but of course his best position is centre midfield because he is a goalscorer as well.”
Another start for Ramsey against Bolton on Wednesday looks likely then, with Diaby the most likely to be given the responsibility to anchor things in front of the back four. In fantasy terms this wouldn’t be the best of news. Diaby’s attacking output would be potentially limited throughout January, while Ramsey looks attractive but is badly hindered by the possible return of Fabregas for the meeting with Everton this weekend.